Coupling



Filed NGV. 3.4, 1940 jv VEA/raf? I Patented Dec. 8, 1942 John N. Wolfram, oleveianagohio, 'ssignor to Arthur L. Parker, Cleveland,0 o

Application November 14,l 1940, Serial No. 365,687

claims. (ci. 2s4 19 The present invention yrelates to-new and useful improvements in couplings for joining fluid` pressure lines, and more particularly to improve-l .y

ments in a valved coupling by which the fluid pressure lines can be readily connected or disconnected. l

An object of the present invention is to provide a coupling of the above type having valve means automatically operable to aiord communication between the pressure lines when the lines are connected and to close each pressure line when the lines are disconnected, and wherein the valve means operates automatically to prevent loss of fluid from the pressure lines or access of air to the pressure lines when connecting or disconnecting the lines.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coupling of the above type wherein the over-all length of the coupling remains substantially the same during connecting or disconnecting of the pressure lines so as to eliminate the necessary of bending or springing the pressure line tubes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a coupling of the above type wherein valve seats are associated with and fixed with respect to the pressure line connections and wherein the valve members are movable relative to the valve sats'during manipulation of the coupling for connecting `the pressure lines so as to maintain the over-all length of the coupling constant.

YA still further object of the invention is to provide acoupling of the above type wherein the Ipackings for preventing leakage of fluid are constantly maintained in fluid-tight relationship with the coupling bythe fluid in the system, and wherein the fluid in the system is also utilized for maintaining the valve members seated when the coupling is disconnected.

The above and other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section showing the coupling completely separated with both pressure lines sealed.

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section showing the coupling in position for engagement with both pressure lines sealed.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section, similar to r Figure l, but showing the coupling members tightened relative to one another so that communication is provided between the pressure lines.

Referring more in detail to the accompanying drawing, the coupling assembly includes end connectionsin the faim of adaptors in, u which may bethreaded tb, receive the ends of tubes or other ,ccnduit ymeans constituting the pressure lines. 'I'he adaptor II has a. central passage IIa adapted to communicate with the ,pressure line and is provided with an outwardly extending flange portion I2 which is provided with a wrench engaging periphery and with a skirt portion I3 extending from the flange lportion toward the opposite end of the coupling assembly. This skirt" I portion is offset concentrically with respect to the passage Ila and constitutes a coupling element in the form of a female coupling member.

flange portion I2 is internally threaded, as at Il, to receive a sleeve I5 which is in communication with the passage IIa. The sleeve I5 is spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the skirt portion I3 so as to provide an annular Achamber I6. The inner end of the sleeve I5 is provided with apertures Il and with an integral head or end portion I8 which is shaped to provide La valve seat I9 around the outer edge thereof and facing toward the adaptor I I.

The adaptor III is provided with a central passage I 0a adapted Ato communicate with the pressure line and with an inwardly extending sleeve portion 20. A head or end member 2| is threadengaging portion Illb thereon and is externally threaded to receive a coupling element 2i in the form of a male coupling member. The inner surface of the coupling member 26 is spaced outwardly from the sleeve portion 20 so as to pro-- vide an annular chamber 21 which is closed at one end by an outwardly extending shoulder 28 on the head member 2I. A coiled spring 29 is disposed around the sleeve portion 20 within the annular chamber 2l and one end of the spring bears against the shoulder 28. The opposite end of the spring 29 bears against a packing follower 30 which, in turn, bears against V-shaped packing washers within a similarly shaped groove in the annulus 25 in order to prevent leakage of uid. The spring 29 thus tends to normally urge the coupling'member 26 and the connected The' inner edge of the adaptor II in the region of the lvided with a skirt portion 2 annulus 25 away from the head or end member 2l.

The sleeve portion I3 on the adaptor I I is internally threaded to engage an externally threaded portion of the coupling member 26, as at 32, so as to provide a detachable connection between the coupling members. It is to be clearly understood, of course, that any form of connection may be employed between the coupling membersand in this connection, a suitable formof quick-acting clamping mechanism may be employed. A valve member 33 extends between the sleeve I5 and the inner surface of the sleeve portion I3 so as to provide a movable wall portion for one end of the chamber I6. This valve member 33 is pro- 33 which surrounds the sleeve I5 and extends toward the adaptor II. A coiled spring 36 is disposed within the chamber lgwith one end bearing against the inner surface of the flange portion I2 and with. the opposite. end thereof bearing against the packing follower 3'I which, in turn, bears against V- shaped packing washers 38 within a similarly shaped recess in the valve member 33so as to prevent leakage of uid.

Theinner edge of the valve member 33 is provided with an annular recess within which is housedA a packing washer 39. The inner end of the sleeve coupling element 26 is shaped to provide anenlarged end portion 40 which is provided with an annular rib 4I adapted to engage the packing washer 39. vThe inner edge of the enlarged end 40 on the coupling element 26 is shaped to provide a tapered valve surface 42 which is adapted to cooperate with the valve seat 23 on the member 2l. The inner edge of the valve member 331s also provided with a tapered valve surface..43 which isv adapted to cooperate with the valve seat I9 on the member I8.

When the coupling members 26, I3 have been tightened relative-to one another along .the threaded connection` 32, the parts of the coupling assembly will assume the position shown in Figure 3. ,In thispositionof the coupling assembly, the coupling member 26 with the annulus 25 has been shifted inwardly of the sleeve portion 20 toward the head member 22 so as to separate the valve surface 42 from the valve seat 23. This movement of the coupling member 26 effects compression of the spring 29 within the annular chamber 21.

During this inward movement of the coupling member 26, the valve member 33 will be similarly moved away from the end member I3 so that the valve surface 43 will be removed from the valve seat I9 and this movement will be effected against the'action of the spring 36 within theannular chamber I6.` Since both valve surfaces 42, 43 have been removed from their seats 23, I3, respectively, communication is. afforded between the passages IIa, Illa through the apertures Ii, 24 and around the abutting end members 2|, I8.

When itgis desired to separate the pressure lines which may be connected to the adaptors I0, I I, the coupling members I3, are relatively rotated so as to unscrew the threaded connection therebetween. During this separation of the coupling members, the compressed spring 36 will force the valve member 33 and its valve surface 43 toward the valve seat I9 on the member I8.

Similarly, the coupling member 26 will be shifted along the sleeve portion 20 toward the adaptor i!! so that the Valve surface 42 will approach its valve seat 23. A fluid-tight connection is thus maintained by the packing washer 39 since the valve member 33 is maintained abutting against seo.

the end 40 of the coupling ember 26. The relationship between the inner surface of the valve member 34 and the outer surface of the sleeve I5 may be such as to permit seepage of fluid from the pressure line into the chamber lI 6 and this fluid within thechamber I6 will augment the action ofthe spring 36 and tend to force the valve member toward a seated position. Similarly, fluidfrom theother-,pressure line may gain access to the chamber 21 and it will be noted that the exposed area of the follower is greater than the exposed inner areaofthe shoulder 23 so that the tendency of the fluid within., the chamber 21 is to force the coupling member Rand the valve 42 toward a seated position. Whenyery close nt is maintained between the coupling parts, it may be desirable to provide bleed holes I6a, 21a through the sleeves I5, 20, respectively, in order to afford ready access of the fluid to the chambers I6, 21. The fluid Within the annular chambers is also utilized for exerting a sealing pressure on the washers 3I, 38 so as-to maintain a fluid tight seal around the surface of the coupling members. Before the threaded connection 32 between the coupling members is broken, the valves 42, 43 will engage the valve seats 23, I9, respectively, so that the pressure lines are sealed at the end members I9, 2I. Thus, when' the coupling members 26, I3

. are completely separated, no fluid will escape from the pressure lines which are effectively sealed by the valves. The spring 36 will tend to maintain the valve surface 43 in tight sealing engage-4 ment with the valve seat I9 and similarly, the spring 29 will tend to maintain the valve surface 42 in tight sealing engagement with the valve seat 23.

When it is desired to again connect the coupling members, the end members I8, 2l are centered relative to one another andthe coupling members 26, I3 are rotated relative to one another to effect initial engagement along the threads 32 as shown in Figure A2. When the coupling membersare brought together it is to be particularly noted that there is no space in 'the assembly for air to accumulate so that access of air to the pressure lines is effectively prevented. Further rotation of the coupling members relative to one another to effect tight clampingof the same along the threads 32, will cause movement of the coupling member 26 and the valve surface 42 toward the opposite end of the coupling. Similarly, the valve member 33 will be moved in unison with the coupling member access of iuid to the chamber IB.

during tightening of the coupling members and the valve surfaces 42, 43 will be removed from their seats 23, I9, respectively, so as to afford communication between the pressure lines, as illustrated in Figure 3. In this connected position of the coupling members, it will be seen that the bleed hole Ia has been closed by the skirt 34 of the valve member 33 so as to prevent Similarly, Vthe outer end of the bleed hole 21a. has been 'closed.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the valve surf-aces .42, 63 aredisposed at one side of the valve seat 23 and that the valve members 60, 33 move in unison with one another by the movement of the coupling member 26 relative to the coupling member I3. The head members I8, 2I are fixed with respect to the conduit sleeves I5, 20, respectively, and abut against one another, and the over-all length of the coupling assembly from the adaptor I0 to the adaptor Il remains constant the coupling members.

between the coupling members I3, 28..:Such a construction obviates thev necessitylof bending.

tubes which are conor springing the pressure nected to the adaptors. Such a construction is of particular importance in airplane-engine installations in that all of the 'iiuid can be disconnected Without rst loosening the engine from its mounting. Similarly,v the engine can be replaced and secured to its mounting before the pressure lines need be connected. The valve members are movable in unison and in the same directions for engaging or dsengaging their respective valve seats.

It is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth vin the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A coupling for joining fluid pressure lines, comprising a pair of conduits each adapted to communicate with a pressure line and said conduits being stationary with respect to each other during connecting or disconnecting of the coupling, means providing a pair of valve seats at the inner end of each of said conduits, means providing a pair of valve surfaces adapted to cooperate with said valve seats for sealing the fiuid pressure lines when th'e coupling is disconnected, and a pair of detachable coupling members movable relative to one another and at least one of said coupling members being movable independently of said conduits into and out of engagement with the other of said coupling members for connecting and disconnecting the conduits Without altering the over-all length of the coupling between the conduits.

2. A coupling for `joining uid pressure lines, comprising a pair of conduits each adapted to communicate with a pressure line and said ccnduits being stationary with respect to each other during connecting or disconnecting of the coupling, a pair of abutting head members one fixed at the inner end of each of said conduits and each of said head members presenting a valve seat, a pair of valve surfaces adapted to cooperate with the valve seats on said head members for sealing the uid pressure lines when the coupling is disconnected, fluid pressure means for automatically seating the valve surfaces when the coupling members are disconnected, and a pair of detachable coupling members movable relative to one another and at least one of said coupling members being movable independently of both said conduits for connecting and disconnecting the conduits without altering the over-all length of the coupling.

3. A coupling for joining uid pressure lines, comprising a pair of conduits each adapted to communicate with a pressure line and said conduits being stationary with respect to each other during connecting or disconnecting of the coupling, a pair of abutting head. members one fixed at the inner end of each of said conduits and each of said head members presenting a valve seat, means providing a pair of valve surfaces adapted to cooperate with the valve seats on 'said head members for sealing the fluid pressure lines when the coupling is disconnected and .'said valve surfaces having abutting portions .and being movable in unison with one another during connecting and disconnecting of the coupling, and a pair of detachable coupling members movable relative to one another and at Y least one of said coupling members being movable independently of said conduits into and out of engagement with the other of said coupling members for connecting and disconnecting the Y conduits without altering the over-al1. length of the coupling.

4. A coupling for joining uid pressure lines, comprising a pair oi axially aligned conduits in communication with the pressure line and stationary with respect to each other during connecting or disconnecting of the coupling, a pair of abutting head members one xed at the inner end of each conduit and providing a valve seat, means providing a pair of valve surfaces adapted to cooperate with the valve seats on said head members for sealing the fluid pressure lines when the coupling is disconnected and said valve surfaces being movable in unison with one another, and a pair of detachable coupling members one fixed with respect to one of said conduits and the other longitudinally movable with respect to the other of said conduits whereby the over-al1 length of the coupling between the ends of the conduits remains constant during connecting and disconnecting thereof.

5. A coupling for joining fluid pressure lines. comprising a. pair of conduits each adapted to communicate with a pressure line and said conduits being stationary with respecatdeach other during connecting or disconnecting of the coupling, means providing a pair of valve seats associated with the inner ends of said conduits, a pair of detachable coupling members surrounding said conduits and providing annular recesses around each of said conduits, said coupling members being movable relative to one another and one of said coupling members being movable independently of said conduits for connecting and disconnecting the conduits 'without altering the over-all length of the coupling, a valve member surrounding one of said conduits and adapted to cooperate with the seat at the inner end thereof, means providing a valve surface on one of said coupling members for cooperation with the valve seat on the other of said conduits, packing members disposed in each of said recesses and associated with the corresponding coupling member for preventing leakage of uid, `and means providing a passage through each of said conduits for aiording restricted fluid communication between the conduits and the recesses whereby to permit the passage of fluid into said recesses in order to exert a sealing the valve member and valve surface.

JonN'N. wormen.

DISCLAIMER 2,304,39U.-Jolm N. Wolfram, Cleveland, Ohio. COUPLING. Patent dated'Dec. 8, 1942. Disclaimer filed Jan. 28, 1947, by-the assignee, 'The Par/cer Appliance Company.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1 and 2 of said specifcation.

[Qlc'ial Gazette lllarch 11, 1.947.] 

